Her most recent book, Bertrand’s Toyshop in Bath: Luxury Retailing 1685–1765, published in 2014, was described by reviewers as ‘delightful and idiosyncratic:’ a genuinely fresh and original contribution to social history’. In this year’s Robertson lecture Vanessa will discuss the central role of silver in society and the challenges that face contemporary silversmiths.

The Robertson Lectures were established by the Holburne Friends to celebrate the contribution made to the Museum over the years by Charles and Barbara Robertson